tubular or clincher

[bike182mtb]

beening a mtb rider i want to get some road wheels for my road bike.what is different between tubular and clincher wheels which are the ones that come on bikes and take normal tyres ??. thanks :)

['Ross]

Clinchers are normal rims, like on your MTB. You use a tube, and the sidewall of the tyre hooks on just like normal.

Tubublar rims need special tyres which have to be glued on. The tube is a part of the tyre, it seems like a complex and difficult setup. The only advantage of tubular is that you can run higher pressures (200+psi) so its ideal for track racing.

Personally Id go clincher, a lot easier, and unless you want super pressured tyres, you probably don't need a tubular setup.

[ozelise]

The tube is a part of the tyre, it seems like a complex and difficult setup. The only advantage of tubular is that you can run higher pressures (200+psi) so its ideal for track racing.

Personally Id go clincher, a lot easier, and unless you want super pressured tyres, you probably don't need a tubular setup.

Tubulars are also significantly lighter, have less rolling resistance, and not prone to pinch flats. However, ever tried changing a tubular quickly? The pros just change the whole wheel from the accompanying team car. For normal riding/training I'd stick to clinchers as well.

[LJohn]

Tubular tyres aren't SIGNIFICANTLY lighter than a good tyre tube combo (~20g if you are using a proper tubular, not that Tufo crap. Less if you take into account glue), they also don't have lower RR, but feel better. They are also more of a hassle to change and puncture precautions tend to be much more bulky.

The wheels are lighter (in general) which makes the system weight lighter, so that is also an advantage.

Clinchers are just easy. I recommend clinchers except if it's a race. Even then I'd use clinchers in a flat TT.

[alexb618]

unless you have a lot of money/experience/a support vehicle you probably dont need to even think about tubulars

[ducan]

Yeah 150 smacks for a decent tubular... Blow that for a joke

['Ross]

What is the correct method for removing a tubular tyre? Do you have to un-sew, or un-stitch it or something like that? Last time I ended up taking to the old tyre with a hacksaw, and it was no easy process!

[McPete]

I'm aware that heat affects the glue, so maybe a heatgun on a low setting might be an easier way of removing the tyre.

Another vote for clinchers, Tubulars are for track bikes, sponsored team racers with support cars and Café racers. More trouble than they're worth for everyone else.

[jasco]

What is the correct method for removing a tubular tyre? Do you have to un-sew, or un-stitch it or something like that? Last time I ended up taking to the old tyre with a hacksaw, and it was no easy process!

Peel up a little bit of the edge and slowly work it loose, a tire lever or screwdriver can help but only in really hard cases.

You only need unstitch it once it's been removed if you've flatted and need to repair the tube inside the tubukar.

I agree with alchemist, unless you're running a Ghibili, Zipp 909, IO or some such, clinchers are the way to go. You can even get full carbon clincher rims these days, which really does do away with most people usuing tubs in modern cycling.

['Ross]

Also the one I removed left A LOT of glue resadue. Is this normal? The tyre had been on there a couple of years not used and not removed, the resadue is very smelly and really solidly baked on. Is there something I can use to remove it? Or do you just glue a new tyre over the top? I tried to scratch some off but that just unleashed the smell.

Stick to clinchers I reckon:(

[jasco]

Also the one I removed left A LOT of glue resadue. Is this normal? The tyre had been on there a couple of years not used and not removed, the resadue is very smelly and really solidly baked on. Is there something I can use to remove it? Or do you just glue a new tyre over the top? I tried to scratch some off but that just unleashed the smell.

Stick to clinchers I reckon:(

Breifly run a screwdriver over it (easiest to do if you have a truing stand) and whatever comes off, comes off. Otherwise, just slap 2 coats of glue (I use the Conti stuff out of a tin) on that, let it dry. Put 2 coats on the tire, this is easiest when you half inlate the tire so that it starts to turn inside out. Then staring at the valve put the tire on. once it's on make sure it's evenly distributed and inflate to it's highest rating over night at least. Then you're good to ride!

[Bodin]

After seeing some of the accidents Pro riders have had when tubulars have unglued from the rim, I can't believe I rode one on the front for as long as I did.

I was clueless about road bikes when I bought my first one (an old Giant Cadex) and it came with a TriSpoke rear (clincher) and a deep dish carbon front (tubular). I used to go out on long road rides with mates with a brand new tubular tyre sticking out the back of my jersey with no idea how to use it if I actually got a puncture.

Thankfully, I never did before selling the bike, so I can't tell you how difficult it is to change a tubular tyre, which is great, because I never want to and I don't think anyone else riding road should either. Unless - like others have said - you've got the support crew to hand you fresh bottles, spare wheels and pick the gravel out of your knees and elbows.

[Spotted Trout]

Ha! They aint that bad!

It is not a wank at all, and plenty of average (non pro) riders do and should use tubulars.

My father who races Vets cycling in C grade uses them, as do a lot of others. Every serious triathelete uses them....

They are not some weird hard to understand system and the experiance is worth the effort.

Keep your tyres clean and replace when worn. You wont have many problems with tubulars and if you get a flat, blast it with some sealant which will fix it generally.

[rogerrabbit]

I raced for years on Tubulars in the 80's. Never rolled a tyre.

Clinchers are bloody good now, and I use them due to cost. But apart from that, I would prefer tubulars. If you get a flat, simply rip the old tyre off the rim, put the new one one with no glue, pump up hard and go. 60 seconds - try that with a tube! A tubular without glue requires a little prudence on the corners, but they still stay on pretty well, and are well up to even moderate enthusiasm.

Fixing punctures in tubulars is not that hard, but best left to a quiet evening with a needle and thread. Good tyres are easy to repair well, cheap ones are a pain. One hint to anyone repairing tubulars. Make sure you use the right thread, and stick to the original stitching holes in the tyre. A pair of plyers comes in handy for pushing the needle through the canvas.

Oh, for the good old days......

And tubulars are still cool

[LJohn]

Agreed that CO2 + tubulars is very quick, especially when someone else/support can pick up your tyre.

Clinchers can be extremely quick too. Keep that in mind.

[rogerrabbit]

A correction.

It was in the 70's. and no CO2 then

[dunk]

I raced for years on Tubulars in the 80's. Never rolled a tyre.

Clinchers are bloody good now, and I use them due to cost. But apart from that, I would prefer tubulars. If you get a flat, simply rip the old tyre off the rim, put the new one one with no glue, pump up hard and go. 60 seconds - try that with a tube! A tubular without glue requires a little prudence on the corners, but they still stay on pretty well, and are well up to even moderate enthusiasm.

Fixing punctures in tubulars is not that hard, but best left to a quiet evening with a needle and thread. Good tyres are easy to repair well, cheap ones are a pain. One hint to anyone repairing tubulars. Make sure you use the right thread, and stick to the original stitching holes in the tyre. A pair of plyers comes in handy for pushing the needle through the canvas.

Oh, for the good old days......

And tubulars are still cool

I agree totally. Clinchers in the 80's were hopeless. I rode tens of thousands of k's on tubs and never had a problem - well except for rolling one on Tempe Velodrome in the State titles one year.

But with clinchers the vastly superior product over yesteryears models, I'll be racing and riding clinchers for a while yet I feel.

[jasco]

Ha! They aint that bad!

It is not a wank at all, and plenty of average (non pro) riders do and should use tubulars.

My father who races Vets cycling in C grade uses them, as do a lot of others. Every serious triathelete uses them....

They are not some weird hard to understand system and the experiance is worth the effort.

Keep your tyres clean and replace when worn. You wont have many problems with tubulars and if you get a flat, blast it with some sealant which will fix it generally.

Your father may well race them, and if they work for him, great. But anyone who is going to pick up a set of wheels now is goint to race clinchers.

As for Triathletes? The greater portion of them barely know which end of the bike to swing their leg over. I have seen people try and race full disc/TT setups in massive crossbreezes, and others adopt such and "aero" position that they were crushing their lungs so much the while they were aero they could barely breathe.

Tubs still hold the stigma that they are the faster and lighter tire of choice, when infact the best tire in terms of rolling resistence is infact the Veloflex Pave Clincher. Not to mention the fact that being able to fix a flat on the road/mid race is worth any "advantage" that tubs may offer.

-Garth